I was working on a 35mm lens adapter for a short film I was working on called Two of Hearts. A romantic comedy about four poker playing friends. As I was working on the adapter, I was using a drum sander on my shop fox 16-speed bench top drill press to sand a PVC fitting. I was in a hurry because production was two days away, and I needed to get the adapter up and running as soon as possible. I was sanding pretty aggressively at high speed and had the drill press table down and was sanding pushing somewhat hard and the chuck and arbor fell out of the spindle. The chuck and arbor got caught between table and the spindle bending the spindle by the bearing and scaring the crap out of me.

I called grizzly to order the part and customer service was very helpful. Going back and fourth between the tech people and customer service, we were able to track down a part from another drill press that would work with my machine. I bought my drill press last summer and have not had it for a year. So, I was a little surprised that they were no longer making the drill press, and even more suprising, that parts were no longer available. I just hope nothing else breaks because I might not be able to get parts.

The shipping was straightforward and came to my house in a couple of days. The part that they sent looked like it would work with my drill press, and was packed in a plastic bag. I pulled out the part and it looked like it would work in my drill press.

So, I went ahead and started the repair. I got out my manual, which had the exploded diagram. I like to think that I am a pretty technical kind of guy. It took me a while to find the best way to take this thing apart. I realized that taking out the arm assembly first was the best way to go. I undid the screw and removed the spring. Once the spring and nut were removed the arm assembly slid right out. Leaving the main shaft only being held in place by the depth adjustment screw, once removed the assembly came right out.Removing the spindle from didn't seem difficult but I needed to get the ring clip off the shaft. I did not have ring-removing pliers so it was off to the big box store.

I had a hard time finding the tool but when I did I treated my self to a foot long hoagie (sub sandwich to the rest of you).

When I returned I was able to get the clip off no problem, and the spindle came right out. I sat the two spindles side by side to compare them, and everything matched exeped for the length. I didcided to try it anyway I put the spindle in the shaft and was not able to get the spring clip back on, and the spindle did not go high egnof in the drill press to engage the pulley.

So now what are my options. Well according to Grizzly I should try calling shop fox directly, and that's what I did. So I will leave it there for this week. Yes this is a two parter. ( In Batman announcer voice) So tune in next week for the exiting conclusion of My Drill Press Repair! On this woodworking Blog! At the Same Woodworking Time